positive (posi|tive)

adjective

• 1consisting in or characterized by the presence rather than the absence of distinguishing features.
• expressing or implying affirmation, agreement, or permission: the company received a positive response from investors
• (of the results of a test or experiment) indicating that a certain substance or condition is present or exists: a player had tested positive for cocaine use
• [in combination] (of a person or their blood) having a specified substance or condition: HIV-positive

• 2constructive, optimistic, or confident: there needs to be a positive approach to young offenders adopt a positive outlook on life
• showing progress or improvement: the prospects for positive growth in the economy do not look good

• 3with no possibility of doubt; definite: he made a positive identification of a glossy ibis
• convinced in one’s opinion; certain: ‘You are sure it was the same man?’ ‘Positive!’ said George
• [attributive] informal downright; complete (used for emphasis): it’s a positive delight to see you

• 4(of a quantity) greater than zero.

• 5containing, producing, or denoting an electric charge opposite to that carried by electrons: each battery has a positive and negative terminal

• 6(of a photographic image) showing lights and shades or colours true to the original.

• 7 Grammar denoting the primary degree of an adjective or adverb, which expresses simple quality without qualification. Contrasted with comparative and superlative

• 8chiefly Philosophy dealing only with matters of fact and experience; not speculative or theoretical. Compare with positivism (sense 1)

• 9 Astrology relating to or denoting any of the air or fire signs, considered active in nature.

noun

• 1a desirable or constructive quality or attribute: take your weaknesses and translate them into positives to manage your way out of recession, accentuate the positive

• 2a positive photographic image, especially one printed from a negative: the photographic process involves separate runs with the red, green, and blue separation positives

• 3a result of a test or experiment indicating that a certain substance or condition is present or exists: let us look at the distribution of those positives

• 4 [mass noun] the part of an electric circuit that is at a higher electrical potential than another point designated as having zero electrical potential: try linking the signal input directly to positive

• 5a number greater than zero.

• 6 Grammar an adjective or adverb in the positive degree.